Danish finance executives are the most adaptable when it comes to investing in AI, but most still manage credit using manual systems
A new study shows that Danish CFOs are more willing than their Northern European counterparts to invest in AI-driven credit tools, even though the confidence in managing risk is still well ahead of the systems designed to handle it.
Danish finance executives are more willing to invest in AI-driven credit tools than their Northern European counterparts, but most still describe parts of their credit management as manual, according to a new study by Collectia Group.
The survey shows that 71% of Danish finance executives would consider paying for AI-driven credit scoring within the next 12 to 18 months—well above the regional average of 47% and the highest among the four markets surveyed. Danish respondents were also the most likely to view credit decisions as the area where AI provides the most value.
This willingness to invest coexists with a broader divide across the region. Nearly all Danish finance executives say they feel confident managing financial risk, but fewer than one-third describe their credit management as fully integrated and data-driven.
“Many finance teams are delivering strong results today, even without fully integrated systems, and that speaks to the expertise within those functions. But manual work becomes harder to scale as complexity increases. The teams that manage to combine human expertise with automation and real-time data will create a lasting competitive advantage.”
— Jesper Eiby, CEO, Collectia Group
Late and missed customer payments were identified both as one of the greatest financial risks and as the single biggest reason for switching credit or collections partners.
The findings come from Collectia Group’s CFO Outlook 2026, a survey of 150 senior finance executives, CFOs, finance directors, and heads of credit in Denmark, Norway, Sweden, and Germany, conducted in April 2026. The survey examines how finance executives in these markets are managing risk, automation, and credit management amid ongoing economic pressure.
Looking at the region as a whole, three findings stand out. Finance leaders feel confident in managing risk, but few have fully integrated systems that match that confidence. AI has become virtually standard in the finance function, but most cannot demonstrate the return on investment. At the same time, late customer payments have emerged as both one of the greatest risks and the most important reason for switching credit partners—a sign that credit management has evolved from a back-office task to a strategic function.
The findings suggest that finance leaders have become highly skilled at managing complexity, often despite fragmented systems and manual work. But as risks become harder to predict and working capital comes under greater pressure, a divide is emerging between organizations that rely solely on experience and those that back up their judgment with integrated data and automation. Confidence may be enough to meet today’s challenges. On its own, it is not enough for tomorrow’s.
71% of Danish finance executives would consider paying for AI-driven credit scoring, compared with 47% in Northern Europe—the highest percentage among the four markets.
97% feel confident in managing financial risk, but only about one-third (32%) describe their credit management as fully integrated and data-driven.
Danish executives lead the region in their desire for real-time dashboards (74%) and rank automation (61%) among their top priorities.
Late payments are both one of the biggest financial risks and the single biggest reason for switching credit or collections partners.
The biggest barriers to AI are organizational, not technical: costs and an unclear ROI, skills gaps, and governance.
About the Study
The results are based on a survey of 150 senior financial decision-makers—CFOs (44%), finance directors (41%), and heads of credit (15%)—in Denmark, Norway, Sweden, and Germany, conducted in April 2026. The figures represent the regional total unless a specific market is mentioned and are rounded to the nearest whole percentage point.
About Collectia
Collectia is a technology-driven credit management company headquartered in Copenhagen with local offices in Norway, Sweden, Finland, and Germany. The company serves more than 40,000 clients by combining advanced technology with experienced local teams. Through a global partner network, Collectia also offers debt collection and credit management solutions across more than 50 countries. Collectia is owned by Silverfleet Capital.
